If you love the comforting taste of banana bread but want a fun twist, you are going to adore this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe. These delightful cookies capture all the warm, cozy flavors of classic banana bread but in a handheld, chewy treat that’s perfect any time of day. The combination of ripe banana, cinnamon, oats, and optional chocolate chips makes each bite a comforting hug of flavor and texture. Whether you’re baking for a snack, breakfast, or dessert, these cookies bring a special homemade charm that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet essential ingredients is all it takes to make these scrumptious Banana Bread Cookies Recipe a reality. Each component plays a starring role, from the creamy butter that provides richness to the ripe banana that adds natural sweetness and moisture.
- Ripe banana: The key to that moist, tender texture and natural sweetness everyone loves.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing and to add buttery richness to the cookies.
- Brown sugar: Brings deep molasses notes and a chewy texture to the cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and contributes to a slight crunch in the cookie edges.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding a touch of fluffiness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and helps give the cookies their perfect bite.
- Baking soda: A leavening agent that ensures the cookies rise just right.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy, earthy warmth that pairs beautifully with bananas.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Old-fashioned oats: Give texture and a wholesome touch to every bite.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds crunch and nutty flavor, an excellent way to elevate the cookies.
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): Introduces pockets of melty sweetness that make these cookies extra special.
How to Make Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Setup
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep step helps ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process is crucial because it incorporates air, giving your cookies a pleasing texture and that classic lift.
Step 3: Add Banana, Egg, and Vanilla
Mix in the mashed ripe banana, egg, and vanilla extract. The banana brings moisture and natural sweetness, while the egg helps bind everything together. Vanilla adds a lovely nuance that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices, which means your cookies will bake uniformly with perfect flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Mixture
Gradually stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, but be careful not to overmix. Overworking the dough can make cookies tough, so stir until just combined for the best tender crumb.
Step 6: Fold in Oats, Nuts, and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the oats and, if you’re using, the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips. These ingredients add wonderful texture and bursts of flavor that take these Banana Bread Cookies Recipe to the next level.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look set—this keeps the cookies soft and chewy.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time allows them to firm up slightly without losing their tender texture.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to dress these cookies up a bit, a light dusting of cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can be lovely. You might also add a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of cream cheese frosting for a decadent treat.
Side Dishes
These Banana Bread Cookies Recipe pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or tea, making them a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. For breakfast, serve alongside fresh fruit or a smoothie to create a balanced and delicious start to your day.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies together with a smear of peanut butter, Nutella, or vanilla ice cream in the middle for a delightful twist. They also make adorable grab-and-go breakfast bites packed in a lunchbox or picnic basket.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your Banana Bread Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and flavorful without drying out, so you can enjoy that fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container, keeping them fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Warm your frozen or stored cookies for about 10 seconds in the microwave or for a few minutes in a preheated 300°F oven. Reheating revives that soft, just-baked texture and makes the chocolate chips melty and irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are actually preferred because they are sweeter and softer, which results in more flavorful and moist Banana Bread Cookies Recipe.
What if I don’t have nuts or chocolate chips?
No worries! The recipe is delicious as is without these additions. The oats and cinnamon ensure plenty of texture and flavor even without nuts or chips.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the cookies from crumbling.
Why do the cookies spread too much sometimes?
If your cookies are spreading too much, your butter might be too soft or the dough was overmixed. Try chilling the dough for 15 minutes before baking to help maintain shape.
Are these cookies kid-friendly?
Definitely! These Banana Bread Cookies Recipe are soft, mildly sweet, and packed with wholesome ingredients kids love. Plus, the optional chocolate chips usually get a big thumbs-up from the little ones.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Bread Cookies Recipe is one of those happy discoveries you’ll want to make over and over again. It combines the best of banana bread’s warmth and comforting flavors with the ease and fun of a cookie, perfect for sharing or savoring solo. I can’t wait for you to try baking this delightful treat and experience the joy it brings with every bite.
Print
Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Bread Cookies combine the moist, rich flavor of classic banana bread with the convenient, snackable form of cookies. Loaded with oats, nuts, and optional mini chocolate chips, they offer a soft, chewy texture perfect for breakfast or a wholesome snack.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air and create a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined, resulting in a smooth, cohesive batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and toughening the cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the old-fashioned oats along with optional chopped walnuts or pecans and mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to place dollops of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet, allowing room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the perfect texture.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake for slightly less time and allow cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet.
- These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
- Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes due to their wholesome ingredients and satisfying texture.
